Making a movie or publishing a book traditionally requires agents, editors and a wealthy benefactor willing to help fund your project. But now, a new website aims to help people bring their next creative idea to life without ever leaving home.

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Filmmakers Dan Susman and Andrew Monbouquette are working on a documentary called "Growing Cities," which sheds light on where our food comes from.

"Show kids where their food comes from and teach them that if you can grow food in the back of a truck, you can do it anywhere," said Monbouquette.

The Omaha duo is nearly done with the project aside from one thing.

"Post-production is one of the most important and also one of the most expensive parts of making a film," said Susman.

But instead of moving to Los Angeles or New York, the two turned to Kickstarter, an online social fundraising platform.

"If we didn't have Kickstarter, it would be a lot harder to do this film in Omaha," said Monbouquette.

Creative minds can take an idea, set a goal and offer perks for those who want to fund the project.

The website takes 5 percent of the money raised, and the rest goes to the creators.

"It really democratizes the whole process of doing creative projects like a movie or art or whatever it might be," said Susman.

Kahlen Aymes, a voracious reader of romance, built up an online audience for her fan fiction stories. Then, she turned to her readers to help kick start a book project.

"I was iffy about it," Aymes said. "I didn't know if I wanted to ask my readers to give me money in advance. It took me awhile and a lot of my fellow writers said, 'You should do it.' So I did."

After 30 days and a last-minute $650 donation, she reached her goal.

Kahlen's story is less steamy than her book's plot, but it's not any less impressive.

"I have my list of Kickstarter pledgers, and when I get (the book), I'll send it out to them along with my heartfelt thanks," Aymes said.